Feral Fox. -When was the species introduced to Australia? 1855 and became established in the early 1870’s. -Why was it introduced? Recreational hunting -Why has it survived so well in Australia? They have adapted to the environments: Using dens and logs for shelter. Eat most things so prey on anything that they can find. They become sexually mature at one year old. Spread all across Australia. -Where is it found? Indicate on a map of Australia. The fox can survive in many different habitats, which includes; urban, alpine and arid areas. The fox tends to be found in lightly wooded areas to provide enough food and shelter. -What diseases are associated with the species? The main disease which affects foxes in rabies; this can be passed onto humans, livestock and native animals. -What control techniques have been tried to manage or exterminate the species? Hunting- doesn’t seem to make a great impact in altering the number of foxes in Australia. Poison- farmers tend to use fox poisons to manage the damage that can be caused by them. Vaccine- trialling a method to make female foxes infertile, lessening the number of foxes in the country. -How is the species population regulated? This can involve: Shooting Hunting Vaccines Poisons Fences/Boundaries -What is the effect of the species on the landscape and indigenous flora and fauna? The fox has played a major role in the rapid decline of: Ground nesting birds Small- medium sized mammals (bilby) Small- medium sized reptiles (turtle)
Foxes have left a major impact on economic losses by targeting newborn lambs, kid goats and poultry, which causes significant losses to farmers.
Activity 4.
Cattle Grazing in Alpine Areas. Cattle grazing in alpine areas has been done for the last 150 years occurring in alpine areas. In 1967 grazing was stopped in New South
Wales but is still continued in Victoria. The reason why grazing has been ceased in some areas is because grazing, bushfires and
burning off causes major damage to the environment; soil and vegetation is greatly damaged by stony erosion. Some of the impacts that cattle grazing alone has on the alpine environment: -Soil and bank erosion and washaways. -Creation of stony pavement areas. -Introduction of weeds through faeces and food. -Vegetation loss and plant extinction from overgrazing and selective grazing. -Fire escaping from fuel reduction burns. -Increased nutrient loads in waterways. -Damage to fragile plants, such as mosses and herbs. -Loss of plants diversity and density. -Silting of waterways, impacting on water quality. -Water catchment deteriorating. -Presence of exotic animal species other than cattle, such as dogs and horses. -Damage to peat beds and bogs. -Presence of pathogens in waterways. Cattle grazing has decreased because of the dangers and damage that the grazing causes to both the cows and the environment itself.
Around about 8000 head of stock; which includes calves are permitted with licences to graze the areas between December and April.
Licences are only valid for 7 years and are due for renewal after the seven year period.
Camping
Activity 6.
Activity 7
Unit 2 – VCE – Outdoor & Environmental Studies GrampiansNational ParkIntroduction All answers can be found at http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/education/resource_kit/section4b.htm Introduction to Grampians National Park 1)Provide a summary of the Park (What does it contain?)
-One of the most popular tourist destinations
-The third largest national park in Victoria.
-Most commonly used land for bushwalking.
a.What activities can be complete within the park?
Bushwalking, cycling, picnicking, swimming, horse riding, rock climbing and abseiling. Landscape Characteristics 2)Explain the unique characteristics of the Grampians
-It has over 970 different native plants occurring in the area.
-Has steep sandstone ranges
-Waterfalls. a. Where is the park located?
Central western Victoria. 260 km by road, north-west of Melbourne. The main cities near the park are; Horsham, Hamilton, Ararat and Stawell. The Park stretches 85km north-south and 45km east-west at the widest point. It covers am area of 167,00ha. Climate of the Grampians Area 3)Provide a basic summary of the parks climate
The higher peaks in the range reach temperatures below zero because they are sub-alpine.The park area receives high rainfall; receiving between 635-762mm annually. Most rainfall in the area occurs between April and November and minor flooding is known to occur during this period. Usually summer and autumn are warm and dry, while winter and spring are cool and wet. a.What will be the expected temperature (min and max) and rainfall for the month that we are away?
minimum temperature- 8 degrees
maximum temperature- 25 degrees
Rainfall- 43mm Vegetation of the Grampians 4. Provide a Basic Summary of the vegetation of the Grampians
-Close to 900 different flowering plants.
-Appro one third of Victoria’s vascular flora can be found in the park, including over 20 endemic plants.
a. What are the main Plant communities within the park?
The most common plants found are the; Stringy bark forest plant, Rocky woodland plant, Red Gum forest plant, Heathy woodland plant, Riparian forest plant, Heathland. Animals of the Grampians 5. Explain the diversity of the animal species at the Grampians
43% of Victoria's bird species, 34% of Victoria's mammal species, 34% of the State's amphibian species, 28% of Victoria's reptile species and 20% of Victoria's freshwater fish species. a.What Mammals, Fish, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians can we expect to see?
Mammals- Koalas, Kangaroos, Wallabies, bandicoots, possums, gliders, heath mouse.
Birds- Peregrine falcon, lorikeets, honeyeaters, parrots, cockatoos, babblers, choughs, wrens robins, fantails and whistlers.
Reptiles- Water skink, long-necked tortoise & snakes.
Fish- Rainbow fish& brown trout.
Amphibians- frogs. Visitors to the Grampians National Park
6. Who uses the Grampians?
Tourists, most are from regional Victoria. The site is visited most during holiday periods of the year, during spring or at Easter time. a.What do visitors do?
-Camp
-Hike -Holiday b.How many visitors were there between 2000 and 2001?
1505428 people visited the area between 2000 and 2001.
Activity 8. Research Report
History of an environment- Grampians National Park/ Gariwerd.
1. Why was art important to the Koori people? Where are the art sites mainly situated in the Grampians? Their art was used to record 'dreamtime' legends and ceremonies. These paintings were tucked away in rocky outcrops and were destroyed by early settlers.
2. There were between 4500 and 9000 Kooris in the Grampians before the arrival of the Europeans in 1836. For what reason did these numbers diminish by the 1900s.
The European settlements came in and damaged/ destroyed their property.
3. How was fire used as a means of survival for the Aborigines? How is fire important for:
They used fires to cook their food, keep them warm, as torches, to trap animals and for ceromonies. - Flora? They would of used flora for their fires, burning the fuels to keep them warm and to cook their food over.
- Fauna? They would use fire to cook the meat they got from the animals, they would also use fire to trap the animals so they were easier to capture.
4. How did the intorduction of pest/grazing animals affect the lifestyle of the Koori people?
Pests killed off local flora and fauna, while grazing animals ate all the native vegetation.
5. Why were timber and its production necessary in the Grampians area around the 1850s?
Activity 9 Learning Activity 2.30 Research Report Grampians National Park- Plan of management 1. When was the Grampians declared a National park? The Grampians National Park was declared a national park in 1984. 2. How much area does it cover? It covers around 167,000 ha. 4. When was the area first discovered by Europeans settlers and by whom? Major Thomas Mitchell discovered the area in 1836. 5. Explain why water is an important resource to the Grampians and the surrounding districts. Water is important for the vegetation and native animals that live in the Grampians and it is also important for farming, mining and timber production in the area. 6. Divide an A4 sheet of paper into 3 columns headed COMMERCIAL, CONSERVATIONAL and RECREATIONAL. List as Many current uses in each of the three categories as you can. Commercial -Farming
-Timber Harvesting
7. Divide another A4 sheet of paper into 3 columns headed COMMERCIAL, CONSERVATIONAL and RECREATIONAL. List as many past uses in each of the 3 categories as you can. Commercial -Farming -Agriculture -Timber Harvesting
Conservational -Camping
-Hiking (Without as much human impact)
Recreational -Holes in the ground (toilets)
8. For what reasons is the park regarded as an area of high conservation significance? The Grampians is regarded as an area of high conservation because people have become more aware about the environment being damaged, so they are doing this for the conservation of the area. 9. For what reasons is the park an area of significant cultural value? Aboriginal paintings hold cultural significance in the aboriginal community and symbolize their traditions. Flaura and Fauna; helps to maintain the native environment.
10. Successful management is vital for the long-term security of the park. Choose 2 different user groupes and list the possible conflicts that may arise between them over the use lof the park.
Bushwalkers would want the park to stay untouched and have as minimal damage as possible done to keep it thew way it is and bring tourists to the area, while for example a coffee shop owner would like more advertising signs, posters, shops and store put up around the area to increase profitablitiy for businesses.
Activity 2.
Research Report.
Introduction of exotic plants and animals.
Feral Fox.-When was the species introduced to Australia?
1855 and became established in the early 1870’s.
-Why was it introduced?
Recreational hunting
-Why has it survived so well in Australia?
They have adapted to the environments:
Using dens and logs for shelter.
Eat most things so prey on anything that they can find.
They become sexually mature at one year old.
Spread all across Australia.
-Where is it found? Indicate on a map of Australia.
The fox can survive in many different habitats, which includes; urban, alpine and arid areas. The fox tends to be found in lightly wooded areas to provide enough food and shelter.
-What diseases are associated with the species?
The main disease which affects foxes in rabies; this can be passed onto humans, livestock and native animals.
-What control techniques have been tried to manage or exterminate the species?
Hunting- doesn’t seem to make a great impact in altering the number of foxes in Australia.
Poison- farmers tend to use fox poisons to manage the damage that can be caused by them.
Vaccine- trialling a method to make female foxes infertile, lessening the number of foxes in the country.
-How is the species population regulated?
This can involve:
Shooting
Hunting
Vaccines
Poisons
Fences/Boundaries
-What is the effect of the species on the landscape and indigenous flora and fauna?
The fox has played a major role in the rapid decline of:
Ground nesting birds
Small- medium sized mammals (bilby)
Small- medium sized reptiles (turtle)
Foxes have left a major impact on economic losses by targeting newborn lambs, kid goats and poultry, which causes significant losses to farmers.
Activity 4.
Cattle Grazing in Alpine Areas.
Cattle grazing in alpine areas has been done for the last 150 years occurring in alpine areas. In 1967 grazing was stopped in New South
Wales but is still continued in Victoria. The reason why grazing has been ceased in some areas is because grazing, bushfires and
burning off causes major damage to the environment; soil and vegetation is greatly damaged by stony erosion.
Some of the impacts that cattle grazing alone has on the alpine environment:
- Soil and bank erosion and washaways.
- Creation of stony pavement areas.
- Introduction of weeds through faeces and food.
- Vegetation loss and plant extinction from overgrazing and selective grazing.
- Fire escaping from fuel reduction burns.
- Increased nutrient loads in waterways.
- Damage to fragile plants, such as mosses and herbs.
- Loss of plants diversity and density.
- Silting of waterways, impacting on water quality.
- Water catchment deteriorating.
- Presence of exotic animal species other than cattle, such as dogs and horses.
- Damage to peat beds and bogs.
- Presence of pathogens in waterways.
Cattle grazing has decreased because of the dangers and damage that the grazing causes to both the cows and the environment itself.
Around about 8000 head of stock; which includes calves are permitted with licences to graze the areas between December and April.
Licences are only valid for 7 years and are due for renewal after the seven year period.
Camping
Activity 6.
Activity 7
Unit 2 – VCE – Outdoor & Environmental Studies
Grampians National Park Introduction
All answers can be found at http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/education/resource_kit/section4b.htm
Introduction to Grampians National Park
1) Provide a summary of the Park (What does it contain?)
-One of the most popular tourist destinations
-The third largest national park in Victoria.
-Most commonly used land for bushwalking.
a. What activities can be complete within the park?
Bushwalking, cycling, picnicking, swimming, horse riding, rock climbing and abseiling.
Landscape Characteristics
2) Explain the unique characteristics of the Grampians
-It has over 970 different native plants occurring in the area.
-Has steep sandstone ranges
-Waterfalls.
a. Where is the park located?
Central western Victoria. 260 km by road, north-west of Melbourne. The main cities near the park are; Horsham, Hamilton, Ararat and Stawell. The Park stretches 85km north-south and 45km east-west at the widest point. It covers am area of 167,00ha.
Climate of the Grampians Area
3) Provide a basic summary of the parks climate
The higher peaks in the range reach temperatures below zero because they are sub-alpine. The park area receives high rainfall; receiving between 635-762mm annually. Most rainfall in the area occurs between April and November and minor flooding is known to occur during this period. Usually summer and autumn are warm and dry, while winter and spring are cool and wet.
a. What will be the expected temperature (min and max) and rainfall for the month that we are away?
minimum temperature- 8 degrees
maximum temperature- 25 degrees
Rainfall- 43mm
Vegetation of the Grampians
4. Provide a Basic Summary of the vegetation of the Grampians
-Close to 900 different flowering plants.
-Appro one third of Victoria’s vascular flora can be found in the park, including over 20 endemic plants.
a. What are the main Plant communities within the park?
The most common plants found are the; Stringy bark forest plant, Rocky woodland plant, Red Gum forest plant, Heathy woodland plant, Riparian forest plant, Heathland.
Animals of the Grampians
5. Explain the diversity of the animal species at the Grampians
43% of Victoria's bird species,
34% of Victoria's mammal species,
34% of the State's amphibian species,
28% of Victoria's reptile species and
20% of Victoria's freshwater fish species.
a. What Mammals, Fish, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians can we expect to see?
Mammals- Koalas, Kangaroos, Wallabies, bandicoots, possums, gliders, heath mouse.
Birds- Peregrine falcon, lorikeets, honeyeaters, parrots, cockatoos, babblers, choughs, wrens robins, fantails and whistlers.
Reptiles- Water skink, long-necked tortoise & snakes.
Fish- Rainbow fish& brown trout.
Amphibians- frogs.
Visitors to the Grampians National Park
6. Who uses the Grampians?
Tourists, most are from regional Victoria. The site is visited most during holiday periods of the year, during spring or at Easter time.
a. What do visitors do?
-Camp
-Hike
-Holiday
b. How many visitors were there between 2000 and 2001?
1505428 people visited the area between 2000 and 2001.
Activity 8.
Research Report
History of an environment- Grampians National Park/ Gariwerd.
1. Why was art important to the Koori people? Where are the art sites mainly situated in the Grampians?
Their art was used to record 'dreamtime' legends and ceremonies. These paintings were tucked away in rocky outcrops and were destroyed by early settlers.
2. There were between 4500 and 9000 Kooris in the Grampians before the arrival of the Europeans in 1836. For what reason did these numbers diminish by the 1900s.
The European settlements came in and damaged/ destroyed their property.
3. How was fire used as a means of survival for the Aborigines? How is fire important for:
They used fires to cook their food, keep them warm, as torches, to trap animals and for ceromonies.
- Flora? They would of used flora for their fires, burning the fuels to keep them warm and to cook their food over.
- Fauna? They would use fire to cook the meat they got from the animals, they would also use fire to trap the animals so they were easier to capture.
4. How did the intorduction of pest/grazing animals affect the lifestyle of the Koori people?
Pests killed off local flora and fauna, while grazing animals ate all the native vegetation.
5. Why were timber and its production necessary in the Grampians area around the 1850s?
Activity 9
Learning Activity 2.30
Research Report
Grampians National Park- Plan of management
1. When was the Grampians declared a National park?
The Grampians National Park was declared a national park in 1984.
2. How much area does it cover?
It covers around 167,000 ha.
4. When was the area first discovered by Europeans settlers and by whom?
Major Thomas Mitchell discovered the area in 1836.
5. Explain why water is an important resource to the Grampians and the surrounding districts.
Water is important for the vegetation and native animals that live in the Grampians and it is also important for farming, mining
and timber production in the area.
6. Divide an A4 sheet of paper into 3 columns headed COMMERCIAL, CONSERVATIONAL and RECREATIONAL. List as
Many current uses in each of the three categories as you can.
Commercial
-Farming
-Timber Harvesting
Conservational
-Camping
-Hiking
Recreational
-Public Toilets
-Public Camping Grounds
-Parks
-Pathways
7. Divide another A4 sheet of paper into 3 columns headed COMMERCIAL, CONSERVATIONAL and RECREATIONAL.
List as many past uses in each of the 3 categories as you can.
Commercial
-Farming
-Agriculture
-Timber Harvesting
Conservational
-Camping
-Hiking (Without as much human impact)
Recreational
-Holes in the ground (toilets)
8. For what reasons is the park regarded as an area of high conservation significance?
The Grampians is regarded as an area of high conservation because people have become more aware about the environment
being damaged, so they are doing this for the conservation of the area.
9. For what reasons is the park an area of significant cultural value?
Aboriginal paintings hold cultural significance in the aboriginal community and symbolize their traditions.
Flaura and Fauna; helps to maintain the native environment.
10. Successful management is vital for the long-term security of the park. Choose 2 different user groupes and list the possible conflicts that may arise between them over the use lof the park.
Bushwalkers would want the park to stay untouched and have as minimal damage as possible done to keep it thew way it is and bring tourists to the area, while for example a coffee shop owner would like more advertising signs, posters, shops and store put up around the area to increase profitablitiy for businesses.